Photo credit: photos.paap.net

CROOKSTON, Minn. --- The #14 Minnesota State softball team swept Minnesota Crookston, 12-1, and 9-0, Friday afternoon at the UMC Softball field. 

Minnesota State, 36-6 (14-2 NSIC), earns its sixth NSIC sweep of the season and extends its win streak to six games. Minnesota Crookston drops to 11-26-1 overall and 1-12-1 NSIC on the season. 

In game one, the Mavericks overwhelmed the Golden Eagles, 12-1, in five innings. Senior pitcher Coley Ries (19-2) earns the win tossing three strikeouts over three innings. She is now tied with Carri Tschida (1986-89) in all-time wins with 97. Paige Pitlick (0-4) takes the loss after 1.2 innings and allowing eight hits. 

The Mavericks jumped out to a 3-0 edge in the first inning after a Samantha Buhmann single up the middle sending Ashley Thell across. Minnesota State then erupted for a six run second inning, 9-0, highlighted by a RBI double from McKenzie Paap which sent Cori Kennedy home. 

The Mavericks then stretched their lead into double-digits after Kennedy Rieck connected on a two run RBI to expand the edge to 12-0. Minnesota Crookston added its lone score of the game with a home run in the fourth inning to make the score 12-1. 

Minnesota State totaled 13 hits with four Mavericks reaching multiple hits. Jess Meidl posted a game-high three hits. 

In game two, Minnesota State shutout Minnesota Crookston, 9-0, in five innings. Junior pitcher Libby Bemis (17-4) threw five strikeouts over four innings. Bailey Braatz picks up the loss after allowing six hits over 1.2 innings with one strikeout. 

The Mavericks got the scoring started as Paap stole third base and then advanced to score an unearned run to take a 1-0 advantage. Following a Thell score, Minnesota State added two more runs after Kennedy connected on a two run RBI to send home Buhmann and Amber Kral home in the bottom of the first. 

After a couple of Bemis strikeouts in the top of the second inning, the Mavericks increased their lead to 9-0 in the bottom half as Alyssa Rickels delivered a RBI single to get Carly Esselman across. Minnesota State then went on to close out the Golden Eagles to earn the 9-0 win. 

Eight different Mavericks registered a hit in game two. Additionally, MSU stole six bases with Meidl and Paap setting the standard with two each. 

Minnesota State returns to the diamond tomorrow at Bemidji State. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 12:00 p.m.